The Obama budget: What it means to Texas

President Obama announces his fiscal year 2014 budget proposal in the Rose Garden, along with Jeffrey Zients, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg)

On Wednesday, President Obama released his $3.77 trillion budget blueprint that features investments in infrastructure education, and research while replacing the automatic budget cuts that went to effect last month with increased taxes and specific spending cuts. The plan would reduce the deficit by $1.8 trillion over the next 10 years.

“If we want to keep rebuilding our economy on a stronger, more stable foundation, then we’ve got to get smarter about our priorities as a nation. And that’s what the budget I’m sending to Congress today represents — a fiscally responsible blueprint for middle-class jobs and growth,” President Obama said in his remarks announcing the budget.

Texas on the Potomac has combed through the layers of the budget, and pulled out issues that would most affect Texans. Some highlights:

Bulking up border security, funding immigration reform:

Although the Department of Homeland Security would lose 1.5 percent of its discretionary funding, the border would receive more federal dollars. Customs and Border Protection would receive $221 million and 1 ,600 officers would be added to the border.

Obama also included money for some key components of comprehensive immigration reform. The White House proposed $10 million to support individuals on a pathway to citizenship, and $114 million would be dedicated to expand the E-Verify system, a system used by employers to ensure potential employees have the correct, legal documents to work in the United States.

More funding for NASA:

Obama’s budget allocates $17.7 billion for a new mission to expand America’s capabilities in space, including an initiative to lasso an asteroid.

“While reaching for new heights in space, we’re creating new jobs right here on Earth — especially for the next generation of American scientists and engineers — by supporting cutting edge aeronautics and space technology innovations and research and development that will help fuel the nation’s economy for years to come.” NASA said in a statement.

Energy industry targeted for higher taxes:

Obama revived his longstanding attack on oil industry tax breaks while separately proposing higher royalty rates for energy produced on federal lands and waters. The budget proposal claims it would save some $39 billion over the next 10 years by eliminating raft of “fossil fuel tax preferences” geared toward oil, gas and coal. Items on the chopping block include the oil industry’s ability to claim a domestic manufacturing deduction broadly available to other sectors.

The administration also proposed establishing new “use-it-or-lose-it” style fees on undeveloped oil and gas leases, while shortening the duration of those contracts.

It also aimed to raise $2.5 billion over the next decade by raising the royalty rates for oil and gas produced on federal lands and waters, with the revenue steered toward a new Energy Security Trust for research in alternative fuels and vehicles.

Less funding to protect the environment:

The Environmental Protection Agency would get 3.5 percent less than they did in 2012, a plan to gradually focus on communities that need the most assistance. It supports efforts to address climate change by implementing regulations to reduce emissions and supporting community efforts to improve resilience to extreme weather. The EPA would continue their efforts to promote ecological sustainability on the Gulf Coast.

Military spending:

Defense Department spending, a key cog in the Texas economy, would take a hit. Pentagon spending would drop 0.7 percent cut to discretionary funding. However, the budget includes continued funding for the F-35 Lightning II fighter plane produced by Lockheed Martin, which creates thousands of jobs in Texas. Military personnel would see a pay raise of 1 percent and an improvement in veteran services.

More money to states for crime fighting:

Discretionary funding for the Department of Justice would increase by 3.1 percent, with $395 million proposed to be put towards combating gun violence, $2.6 million to go towards organized crime targeting programs, and the International Organized Crime Center would get an increase of $3 million. State and local crime prevention initiatives will get a 10 percent budget boost.

Spend more to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure:

The president seeks to create jobs through investing $166 billion in repair and reconstruction of the nation’s infrastructure. $50 billion would be added to the Department of Transportation to jump start economic growth and job creation. $40 billion would go towards “Fix-it-First” investments which will repair existing infrastructure assets and create jobs immediately.

Increased school funding:

The Department of Education would see an increase in its budget by 4.1 percent over last year. Under Obama’s budget, 4-year-old’s around the country would be be guaranteed public preschool. Mandatory funding for initiatives to protect teacher jobs would be implemented, and the administration would continue to fund Pell Grants. STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) education would experience a major overhaul, with 90 of its programs consolidated and restructured.

Honoring George H.W. Bush

Obama proposed to designate $10 million toward a national volunteer fund that would reflect the former President George H.W. Bush’s seven decades of public service. The George H.W. Bush Volunteer Generation Fund would provide support to volunteer organizations and state service commissions to boost their impact.